Where would your week be if not for the most valuable of invaluable time wasters?
I am of course talking about "The Scanner."
Now containing less trans fats and more snarkiness.

Engadget has a story and video on a kid whose family trick him into thinking he's getting an Xbox360 for Christmas, only when he opens the box there's nothing inside but shirts. Oh, and they videotaped it. Interesting discussion in the forums - is it mean, is it a sign of the over commercialization of society?

Interesting. Earlier this week a judge reversed his earlier decision to shut down Wikileaks. Now the company that asked for the site to be taken down has just dropped its lawsuit all together.

In more Interwebs legal news, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld the conviction for a spammer who sent more than 53,000 emails. Who says the justice system is flawed?

Not that most of us could afford it, but how cool would it be to bid on items like Superman's costume or Indiana Jones' whip? (Hat tip: Pop Candy)

America, these are the kind of playthings your children should embrace: the Mr. Toast doll and friends. I am partial to Shaky Bacon, but Toast is quite cool too. (Thanks to NXT reader Shannon)

Cracked.com has this list of 8 movie adaptations that must be stopped. There's some salty language, but let's just say these guys do not want to see cartoons made into movies, old TV shows or video games. Discuss. (Hat tip: Pop Candy)

The hot news this week has been the bizarre details leaked about one of the founders of Wikipedia and a Fox News contributor. NOTE: It is not Hannity or Colmes.

It seemed like a weird rumor at first, but is sadly true: the man that gave us "Dirty Dancing" and "Road House" has pancreatic cancer. "Road House" came on TV late last night and I almost teared up watching it.

In "the fate of the music industry hangs in the balance" news this week, Nine Inch Nails became the latest band to to bypass the record labels and release a new album online. Interesting to note they set up different pricing structures, from free to $300.

Sad news this week, Gary Gygax, the original dungeon master and creator of Dungeons and Dragons, died this week. World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy players pay your respects.

If that wasn't enough game nerdery, then let me pass on this - a CraigsList posting for a woman who claims to look like princess Zelda (from the video game series sharing the same name) looking for Link (her hero.).

I had made a point to try and avoid Mariah Carey's latest video, even after the insistence by at least one colleague that it's funny. But the AV Club makes a compelling case as to how even if Jack McBrayer is Mariah's "crazy beard," he's still really funny.

The Reel Pop blog raises a good question on the subject of presidential candidates and online videos. wil.i.am has releasd another Obama music video featuring sexy celebrities, musicians, etc, etc. And this week a a Clinton endorsement featuring a mash-up of Jack Nicholson clips surfaced. Where's the difference between using pop culture to your own benefit, and it just being weird? Thoughts?

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